In “The Imitation Game,” Benedict Cumberbatch is Alan Turing, a socially awkward — the actor plays Turing as though he’s on the autism spectrum — math whiz who’s recruited by the British government during World War II to help crack a seemingly unbreakable Nazi code. (Turing was also in the closet at a time when homosexuality was criminal.)

Both lead performances are generating considerable Oscar buzz. There is also chatter about potential Best Picture nominations, as well as nods for lead or supporting actress for Keira Knightley, who plays a fellow code-breaker in “The Imitation Game,” and Felicity Jones as Hawking’s long-suffering wife.

Eddie Redmayne as Stephen Hawking in “The Theory of Everything”Liam Daniel/Focus Features

But will there be room enough come awards season for both of these films? Will the movies split the vote, allowing something or someone else to take the prize?

Although critics sometimes gripe about the Academy’s preference for the same kind of Oscar-bait costume dramas, the Best Picture field most years is surprisingly diverse. In 2013, for example, “Django Unchained” faced off against “Amour.” It’s hard to picture a voter being on the fence about which of those to pick because they’re so similar.

Tougher choices may be required this time around. We’ll see what happens next February.